Dialogue concerning the minimum wage has once again entered the national spotlight with groups of fast food workers heralding a labor movement under the moniker "Fight for 15," in which workers are organizing in an attempt to raise the minimum wage in New York City to $15 an hour.

In the recent years smoking has become one of the most frowned upon activities of our generation. With this being said, a big question in my mind is: why is it that smoking has deservingly been given this reputation but smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, hasn't been made a bigger deal in our easily marketed society?

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Senate voted against an amendment that would allow gay and lesbian veterans to receive the same federal benefits as veterans in heterosexual marriages. Although a majority voted for the proposal introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, 42 Republican Senators shot it down, denying any changes.

Sir Tim Hunt is a scientist who co-won a Nobel Prize for his joint discovery of protein molecules that control the division of cells back in 2001. Recently, he caused a massive controversy in the science community for his remarks about the "girls" he works with in his field.